Blog

Do you realize that planning can take your event from "oh" to "outstanding!" This is the time to consider everything you want to do and make sure every detail is addressed, so you get the type of event you envisioned.

Face it, most brides have been planning their wedding their whole life. The flowers, the dresses, the vows and even a special place. You want to get the best photographer to capture those precious, once-in-a-lifetime moments. You want to make sure the food is prepared properly and timed to your timeline, not theirs. You want your wedding to be perfect. What you don't want is stress and missed details due to miscommunication between the professionals you hire.

That is where Level11 makes a difference. Rather then sending you a list of music to select from, our approach is hands-on! When we work with our brides, we take the time to plan every detail. Do you want a special grand march into your first dance? Your photographer needs to know that before we start to make sure he or she is in the right spot for the best pictures. Do you want to start getting your crowd dancing earlier? If so, you need to plan with the venue and caterer to ensure the food is ready when you are.

When you take the time, you can focus on your vision. We make sure your bouquet toss is done the way you want it, not how "they always do it". When everybody is on the same page with the plan, your stress is lower and you really get to enjoy your evening.

Remember, we all have speakers, lights and music. But do they know how to plan your event or do they just show up and "do what they do." Is "do what they do" the same event week after week? You are more then just a music list or next week’s gig! Are you ready to make your event different and special? This is why planning is so important. This is where Level11 can make a difference.

Check out this Article in the Mpls./St.Paul Magazine online Blog on Level11 and how we are evolving the world of entertainment. It discusses our Live DJ and Live Musician fusion called Union by Level11 as well as many new trends we see in the Wedding market, including the After-Party, personalization and other memorable elements.

Equipment is the lifeblood of your DJ. Let’s face it, no equipment – no party.

There are certain DJs that boast experience and others that sell their “gear”. Yay, they have lights and speakers!! Sadly, so does every other DJ. If they have to sell you on the equipment they have, then in most cases, it’s because that’s all they can sell.

Here are some questions you should ask a potential DJ:

Do you have a back up?

They spent all that money to WOW you and your guests. Then, there is a technical problem. Do they have a back up? Can they get a replacement to your event?

Do you own or rent your equipment?

A popular option is renting equipment. Sure, it’s a great way for the DJ to save money, but once again, is there any backup? No DJ rental company will be open when it’s time for your event. Will it work, or did the last DJ that rented it blow the speakers, or drop the microphones? Every respectable company owns their equipment.

Is your equipment up to date?

Sound and light technology has come a long way in the last 5 years and has also greatly reduced in price. DJ’s use laptops to play music with CD’s as back up (hopefully). The speakers are lighter and much more portable. Lights have moved into LED technology. A DJ that is not even trying to “get with the times” should be a major red flag.

The best option is to find a company that will explain what they have when asked, not use it as their main selling point.

Experience. With today’s pop culture, DJs are becoming more and more popular. Anybody can buy a laptop, download some music, rent some speakers and lights, and call themselves a DJ! While they may have the tools, most will have no idea how to properly use them.

Two quotes to think about:

“Remember, there are only a few doctors, lawyers, plumbers, etc., everybody thinks they’re a DJ!”

“I must be a professional, my business card says I am.”

Always check for experience and most importantly, do they have references? If not, how can you check if you’re getting a great DJ or somebody that simply says they are. A reputable DJ will have references from past clients. A great resource is to ask where they have performed and ask the venue for references. They see a number of DJ and can give you unbiased feedback.